Roof damage is something to take seriously since even a small hole allows rain to seep under the shingles. That's why it's important to check your roof regularly for signs of damage. When damage is caught early, it's easier and less expensive to repair. Here's a look at some residential roofing repair solutions your contractor might recommend when your roof has damage from storms, age, or animals.
Apply A Roof Coating
If your shingle roof is old and you're not ready to invest in a new roof yet, talk to a roofer about applying a coating. A coating might extend the life of the shingles and give you time to prepare for the expense of a new roof. A coating forms a waterproof barrier on the shingles to prevent leaking. Some coatings are white and reflect the sun so your home stays cooler in the summer. Other coatings are invisible once they dry.
It's important to choose a coating that allows water vapor to escape through the shingles, or you might have problems with mold and rot as time goes on. Your roof might not be a good match for a roof coating, so getting advice from a roofer will help you make the right decision for your home.
Repair Deck Damage
If your roof was damaged by animals, there might be holes gnawed through the deck. A raccoon can make a fairly large hole that lets in rain and other animals. Even if the hole is a small one made by a rodent, the hole still needs to be repaired. In some cases, the roofer might put a metal patch over the hole that keeps animals away.
However, it might be necessary to cut out the damaged part of the deck and replace it with new plywood. In order to do that, shingles have to be removed and replaced too.
Reinforce Roof Rafters
A roof leak can cause a lot of damage depending on how the water drips down in the attic. Besides causing the deck to rot, rain can also cause the frame of the roof to rot. When a rafter is decaying due to water damage, the roofer will probably need to remove part of the wood and then reinforce the rafter with a sister board nailed to the good part of the rafter.
Water leaks don't always cause the frame of the roof to rot, and a leak may not even cause the deck to rot if it's caught early. However, when the wood part of the roof starts to rot, the rotted wood usually has to be replaced.
Put On New Shingles
The most common residential roofing repair solution is to have new shingles put on. The roofer might need to put new shingles on after a raccoon tears off a few old shingles or after a storm blows shingles from the roof. Shingles might also need to be replaced if a low-hanging tree branch scrapes all of the granules off some shingles. When too many shingles are damaged, the roofer might need to replace the roof. When the damage is just in a local area, replacing the shingles prevents extensive water damage and helps you postpone the need for a roof replacement.
